By Rebecca Harris
Two of Sydney’s leading bars have been recognised as the best hotel bars at the 2009 Hotel Management (HM) Awards, held at Doltone House, Pyrmont on Friday night (Aug 14).
Zeta Bar at the Hilton, Sydney was named “Best Hotel Bar”, while Astral Bar at Star City was “Highly Commended” in that same category.
The Hotel Bartender Award was won by Lucy George, of the Emporium Hotel in Brisbane, while the Park Hyatt Sydney’s Stuart Reeves was “Highly Commended".
HM magazine editor and host James Wilkinson said that the 2009 HM Awards were the closest ever, especially in the food and beverage categories of Restaurant, Bar, Bartender and Executive Chef.
“Each year the hotel bar category is hotly contested and once more, Zeta Bar has proven its status – that of a leading international destination bar,” he said.
“Lucy and Stuart are both exceptional professionals in their field and to come through the pack and excel the way they did is extremely commendable.”
The HM Awards aims to recognise the leading hoteliers, staff, key suppliers and dignitaries in the hotel and accommodation industry.
Friday’s elegantly themed event saw more than 450 members of the industry gather to to enjoy a specially created menu from leading guest chefs Daniel Ridgeway, Sean Connolly, Tony Gibson and Fabien Berteau and beverages courtesy of St Arnou, Robert Oatley Vineyards, Pravda Vodka and San Pellegrino.